If you grew up going to Polish delis, you know exactly what I'm talking about. That red soda was always a treat, and it still is!!
But here's the thing a single bottle has 62 grams of sugar and Red #40 dye. So I started thinking about what it would look like to make it at home with real fruit. Oranzada actually has a fascinating history: it started as a French-style orange carbonated drink in the 18th century. But during communist-era Poland, imported citrus was expensive and hard to get, so manufacturers created a red version using vegetable extracts and black carrot juice. It became the most popular soda in Poland because Coke and Pepsi simply weren't available or affordable. That's why it's called Oranzada, orange soda but tastes like strawberry.
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Ingredients
This recipe comes together with just a handful of fresh, simple ingredients. The magic is in the syrup - real strawberries and fresh-squeezed orange juice give you that deep red color and bright flavor without any artificial dye. Once the syrup is made, you're just pouring and serving.
- Fresh strawberries
- Fresh orange juice (about 2 large oranges)
- Orange zest
- White sugar or honey
- Water
- Fresh lemon juice
- Naleczowianka sparkling water
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
The syrup is the heart of this recipe once it's made and cooled, assembly takes about 60 seconds. Here's how to do it step by step.
- Step 1: Make the syrup base. Add your strawberries, sugar (or honey), and water to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir to combine.
- Step 2: Cook down the strawberries. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries have fully broken down and the syrup turns a deep red - about 10 to 12 minutes. Your kitchen is going to smell incredible.
- Step 3: Add the orange and lemon. Remove the pan from heat. Stir in your fresh orange juice, orange zest, and lemon juice. Let it steep for about 5 minutes so all those flavors can come together.
- Step 4: Strain the syrup. Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a jar or bottle, pressing the solids to get every last drop of syrup out. Discard the solids and let cool completely before using.
- Step 5: Assemble and serve. Fill a glass with ice. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of syrup - adjust to your taste - then top with Naleczowianka sparkling water. Stir gently and garnish with a fresh strawberry or orange slice.
Hint: Taste your syrup before serving - strawberry sweetness varies a lot by season. If it tastes flat, add a little more lemon juice. If it's too tart, stir in a touch more sugar or honey while the syrup is still warm.
Substitutions
This recipe is naturally flexible - here are the swaps that work best without losing the spirit of the drink.
- Sugar → Honey - honey works beautifully here and adds a slightly floral note. Use about ⅓ cup in place of ½ cup sugar.
- Naleczowianka → any sparkling water - Naleczowianka is the authentic choice, but any unflavored sparkling water works. Just avoid anything with added flavor.
- Fresh orange juice → bottled - fresh is always better here, but in a pinch bottled 100% orange juice works fine.
- Fresh strawberries → frozen - frozen strawberries work really well for the syrup since you're cooking them down anyway. No need to thaw first.
- Lemon juice → citric acid - if you want to go the more traditional route, a small pinch of citric acid gives you that same tartness.
Variations
Once you have the base syrup down, there are so many directions you can take this drink.
- Still version - skip the sparkling water and use still Naleczowianka or regular water for a more old-school, deli-style Oranzada.
- Raspberry orange - swap half the strawberries for fresh raspberries for a slightly deeper, more tart flavor.
- Mint strawberry orange - add a few fresh mint leaves to the syrup while it steeps with the orange juice. Remove before straining. Really refreshing.
- Cocktail version - this syrup is incredible with vodka. Mix 1.5oz vodka, 3 tablespoons syrup, and top with sparkling water. Very Polish, very good.
Equipment
You don't need much to make this - it's one of those recipes where simplicity is the point. A fine mesh strainer is the one tool you really can't skip; it's what gives you that smooth, clear syrup instead of a pulpy drink. I use my HexClad saucepan for the syrup and it works perfectly.
- Small saucepan
- Fine mesh strainer
- Jar or bottle for storing the syrup
- Citrus juicer
- Measuring cups and spoons
Storage
The syrup stores in a sealed jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Give it a quick stir before using as it may settle slightly. The assembled drink is best served immediately - once you add the sparkling water you'll want to drink it right away so it stays bubbly.
The syrup does not freeze well - the texture changes once thawed. Stick to fridge storage and make a fresh batch as needed.
Top Tip
Let the syrup cool completely before assembling your drink. If you pour warm syrup over ice it dilutes too fast and you lose all that gorgeous flavor. Make the syrup ahead, let it chill in the fridge, and the assembled drink will taste so much better.
FAQ
Oranzada is a traditional Polish carbonated soda. The name comes from the French-style orange soda it was based on in the 18th century, but the version you find at Polish delis today is typically red and strawberry flavored - a result of communist-era Poland substituting local ingredients like black carrot juice for expensive imported citrus.
Oranzada is available at Polish delis and European specialty grocery stores across the US. Brands like Ludwig Dairy, Hellena, and Square are commonly found. In the Chicago and Milwaukee area, check your local Polish deli.
A bottle of Ludwig Dairy Oranzada contains about 62 grams of sugar. This homemade version has approximately 30 to 40 grams of sugar per 16oz serving depending on how much syrup you use - about half the sugar, with no artificial dye.
Related
Looking for other Polish American recipes like this? Try these:
Strawberry Orange Oranzada
Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh Strawberries, hulled and halved
- ½ cup Fresh Orange Juice (about 2 large oranges)
- 1 teaspoon Orange Zest
- ⅓ cup Honey
- ½ cup Water
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
- 3 cups Naleczowianka Sparkling Water
Instructions
- Make the syrup base: Add 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved, honey, and water to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir to combine.
- Cook down the strawberries: Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries have fully broken down and the syrup turns a deep red, about 10-12 minutes
- Add orange and lemon: Remove from heat. Stir in fresh orange juice (about 2 large oranges), 1 teaspoons orange zest, and 1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. Let steep for 5 minutes
- Strain the syrup: Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a jar or bottle, pressing the solids to extract as much syrup as possible. Discard solids. Let cool completely.
- Assemble and serve: Fill a glass with ice. Add 3-4 tablespoons of syrup, then top with 3 cups Naleczowianka sparkling water. Stir gently and garnish with a fresh strawberry or orange slice.
